Fluid ejection gun and cleaning apparatus using the same

ABSTRACT

A fluid ejection gun includes: a flexible ejection tube for ejecting a fluid, the fluid being supplied to the inside of the ejection tube, the fluid being ejected from the tip of the ejection tube; a guide disposed to surround the ejection tube and introduce the ejection tube along the inner surface of the guide, the ejection tube being moved by the fluid ejected from the tip of the ejection tube; a casing disposed to surround the guide, the casing having an opening section forward in the ejection direction of the fluid ejected from the tip of the ejection tube; and a suction unit provided to the casing for sucking the fluid ejected from the ejection tube.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a fluid ejection gun and a cleaningapparatus using the same.

The present application is based on patent application No. 2005-063685filed Mar. 8, 2005, in Japan, the content of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventional cleaning apparatuses are known for cleaning a textilesurface of a sofa or compartment seat that is not easily removable froma compartment. Cleaning apparatuses of this kind eject a fluid, e.g.,air or water pumped from a high-pressure compressor onto a surface of anobject being cleaned to blow off dirt or dust.

Some cleaning apparatuses of the foregoing kind are provided with afluid ejection gun that is provided with an elastic cylindrical nozzleand a circular guide disposed outside of the nozzle. The cleaningapparatus amplifies the pressure wave of the fluid by supplying thefluid to the nozzle to provide high-speed rotation to the nozzle alongthe inner surface of the guide; thus ejecting the fluid having moresignificant spurting force (see, for example, a patent document 1).

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, FirstPublication No. H11-123350

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

Since ejecting high-pressure fluid from the nozzle of the cleaningapparatus using the foregoing fluid ejection gun brushes dirt or dust,the removed dirt or the brushed dust is inevitably fluttered around theobject being cleaned. On the contrary, reducing the spurting force ofthe fluid in order to prevent the dust from fluttering underpowers thecleaning capability. In addition, combined use of the fluid ejection gunand a vacuum apparatus for blowing the fluid onto the object beingcleaned while suctioning the dirt or dust overloads the operator who hasto operate two apparatuses simultaneously.

The present invention was conceived in consideration of the foregoingproblems, and provides a cleaning apparatus that can reduce the workloadof the operator and improve the cleaning capability while preventingdirt and dust from fluttering.

Means for Solving the Problems

The present invention provides a fluid ejection gun that includes: aflexible ejection tube for ejecting a fluid, the fluid being supplied tothe inside of the ejection tube, the fluid being ejected from the tip ofthe ejection tube; a guide disposed to surround the ejection tube andintroduce the ejection tube along the inner surface of the guide, theejection tube being moved by the fluid ejected from the tip of theejection tube; a casing disposed to surround the guide, the casinghaving an opening section forward in the ejection direction of the fluidejected from the tip of the ejection tube; and a suction unit providedto the casing for suctioning the fluid ejected from the ejection tube.

According to the fluid ejection gun of the present invention,compressing the opening section of the casing onto a surface of anobject being cleaned and ejecting a fluid from the tip of the ejectiontube cause the tip of the ejection tube to swing along the inner surfaceof the guide with a reactive force of the ejected fluid. The swingingtip of the ejection tube causes the fluid to be blown onto the surfaceof the object being cleaned so that the blown fluid makes a circularpath, thereby brushing dirt or dust from the object being cleanedeffectively. In addition, confining the dust, etc., brushed from theobject being cleaned in the casing prevents the dust from flutteringtherearound.

According to the fluid ejection gun of the present invention, it ispreferable that the suction unit further includes an exhaust tubecommunicating to the casing; and a dust-collecting unit communicating tothe exhaust tube for collecting dust in the fluid. In addition, it ispreferable that the suction unit supplies a part of the fluid from theinside of the ejection tube to the dust-collecting unit in the exhausttube.

According to the fluid ejection gun of the present invention, ejecting apart of the fluid supplied to the inside of the ejection tube toward thedust-collecting unit in the exhaust tube generates a fluid flow towardthe dust-collecting unit in the exhaust tube. This fluid flow causes thefluid containing dirt or dust in the casing to be suctioned through theexhaust tube and flown into the dust-collecting unit. Therefore, thedust, etc., brushed from the object being cleaned can be collectedeffectively.

The present invention provides a cleaning apparatus that includes: aflexible ejection tube for ejecting a fluid, the fluid being supplied tothe inside of the ejection tube, the fluid being ejected from the tip ofthe ejection tube; a fluid-pumping unit for pumping the fluid to theinside of the ejection tube; a guide disposed to surround the ejectiontube and introduce the ejection tube along the inner surface of theguide, the ejection tube being moved by the fluid ejected from the tipof the ejection tube; a casing disposed to surround the guide, thecasing having an opening section forward with respect to the ejectiondirection of the fluid ejected from the tip of the ejection tube; and asuction unit provided to the casing for suctioning the fluid ejectedfrom the ejection tube.

According to the cleaning apparatus of the present invention,compressing the opening section of the casing onto a surface of anobject being cleaned and ejecting a fluid from the tip of the ejectiontube cause the tip of the ejection tube to swing along the inner surfaceof the guide with a reactive force of the ejected fluid. The swingingtip of the ejection tube causes the fluid to be blown onto the surfaceof the object being cleaned so that the blown fluid makes a circularpath, thereby brushing dirt or dust from the object being cleanedeffectively. In addition, confining the dust, etc., brushed from theobject being cleaned in the casing prevents the dust from flutteringtherearound.

In the cleaning apparatus of the present invention, it is preferablethat the suction unit further includes an exhaust tube communicating tothe casing; and a dust-collecting unit communicating to the exhaust tubefor collecting dust in the fluid. In addition, it is preferable that thesuction unit supply a part of the fluid from the inside of the ejectiontube to the dust-collecting unit in the exhaust tube.

According to the cleaning apparatus of the present invention, ejectingpart of the fluid from the inside of the ejection tube to thedust-collecting unit in the exhaust tube generates a fluid flow towardthe dust-collecting unit in the exhaust tube. This fluid flow causes thefluid containing dirt or dust in the casing to be suctioned through theexhaust tube and flown into the dust-collecting unit. Therefore, thedust, etc., brushed from the object being cleaned can be collectedeffectively.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention can prevent the dust, etc., from fluttering morereliably than in a case where a conventional vacuum apparatus isconcurrently used. Therefore, effects can be obtained for reducing anoperator's workload and enhancing the marketability of the product. Inaddition, a cost-reducing effect can be obtained due to avacuum-apparatus-free structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a cleaning apparatus in schematic view according to a firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a part of an ejection gun in cross sectional view accordingto the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a part of an ejection gun in cross sectional view accordingto a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an aspect the ejection nozzle according to each embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along a line B-B of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along a line C-C of FIG. 4.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS AND SYMBOLS

-   13: ejection nozzle (ejection tube)-   14: branch pipe (suction unit)-   16: branch socket (suction unit)-   18: guide-   19: case (casing)-   20: opening section-   24: exhaust tube (suction unit)-   26: filter (suction unit)

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A first embodiment of the present invention is explained with referenceto the drawings.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a cleaning apparatus 1 includes: a compressor2 for pumping a pressurized fluid, e.g., air or water; and an ejectiongun 4, connected to the compressor 2 via a hose 3, for ejecting thefluid supplied by the compressor 2. Carrying out cleaning includespumping the fluid from the compressor 2, and ejecting the fluid from theejection gun 4 held by an operator onto a surface of an object beingcleaned while moving the ejection gun 4 inch by inch.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the ejection gun 4 is provided with a gun body5. A hose 3 is connected to an entrance port 7 of the gun body 5 via aconnector 6. A grip section 8 is provided above the entrance port 7. Atrigger switch 9 is provided above the grip section 8 so that thetrigger switch 9 protrudes in front of the grip section 8.

An exit path 11 extending forward is formed above the gun body 5. Anexit port 10 is disposed at the front end of the exit path 11. Inaddition, a trigger lever 12 pending in front of the grip section isprovided above the gun body 5. The trigger lever 12 is supported at theupper end of the gun body 5 and capable of freely rotating there.Usually, the trigger lever 12 is urged forward by the trigger switch 9so that the entrance port 7 is disconnected from the exit port 10.Dragging the trigger lever 12 toward the grip section 8 pushes thetrigger switch 9 and communicates the entrance port 7 to the exit port10; thereby supplying the fluid pumped through the hose 3 to an ejectionnozzle 13 or a bypass tube 14, that will be explained later, through theexit port 10.

An attachment screw section 15 is formed on an outer periphery of theexit port 10 of the exit path 11. A branch socket (suction unit) 16 isengaged with the attachment screw section 15 for branching the fluidpumped from the gun body 5. An ejection nozzle (ejection tube) 13 and abypass tube (suction unit) 14 are connected to the branch socket 16. Theejection nozzle 13 is cylindrical and has substantially a constantthickness. The ejection nozzle 13 is entirely made from plasticmaterial, e.g., nylon, Teflon (Trade Mark Registered), polyurethane, orpolypropylene. A plurality of synthetic resin guide bodies 17 aredisposed on the outer circumference of the ejection nozzle 13 at apredetermined interval along the longitudinal direction of the ejectionnozzle 13. The guide bodies 17 making contact with a guide 18, whichwill be explained later, prevent the ejection nozzle 13 from wearing outwhile the ejection nozzle 13 swings along the guide 18.

The metal-made guide 18 for guiding the ejection nozzle 13 is disposedaround the ejection nozzle 13. The guide 18 has a cone shape so that aninner diameter thereof gradually increases from the branch socket 16 tothe forward relative to the ejection gun 4. A branch socket 16 isscrewed into a base portion of the guide 18. A case (casing) 19 isattached to the outer periphery of the guide 18 via abottom-section-supporting member 19 a. The substantially cylindricalcase 19 is made from engineering plastics.

The case 19 has an oval opening section 20 in the ejection direction,i.e., forward relative to the ejection nozzle 13. A portion of the case19 closer to the opening section 20 is more compressed vertically. Theupper portion of the case 19 slightly protrudes forward of the bottomportion of the case 19. Material forming the guide 18 may not be limitedto metal as long as it is hard and has low friction resistance.Therefore using lighter material is advantageous because of improvedoperability of the ejection gun 4.

The opening section 20 is a horizontal oval hole in order to obtain alarger cleaning area since the ejection gun 4 according to the presentembodiment is assumed to be used vertically. In addition, the openingsection may be a vertical oval hole in a case where the ejection gun ismoved horizontally. That is, the shape of the opening section 20 may bedetermined in accordance with the operation direction of the ejectiongun 4.

An exhaust port 21 is formed above the base portion of the case 19. Anexhaust tube (suction unit) 24 is connected to the exhaust port 21 viacylindrical joints 22 and 23. The exhaust tube 24 bends in an L-lettershape, that is, standing vertically and bending backward relative to theejection direction. A filter attachment section 25 having a smallerdiameter than an outer diameter of the exhaust tube 24 is formed at arear end of the exhaust tube 24 so as to extend backward relative to theejection direction. A filter (suction unit) 26 is fixed to the filterattachment section 25. The filer 26 is tightened to the filterattachment section 25 by a resin-made tie-band 27. A fabric cover 28 isfixed to the filter attachment section 25 to cover the filer 26. Thecover 28 is fixed to the filter attachment section 25 by a metal band29. A fastener, which is not shown in the drawing, is formed beneath thecover 28. Opening the fastener allows the filer 26 to be exchangedwithout removing the cover 28 from the filter attachment section 25. Thefiler 26 disposed backward relative to the fixed position of the cover28 is fixed to the filter attachment section 25. Meanwhile, only thefiler 26 may be used without the cover 28.

A horizontal section 30 extending backward relative to the ejectiondirection constitutes the bending exhaust tube 24 having an L-lettershape. A hole 31 is formed on a side wall of the horizontal section 30.An end of the bypass tube 14 is inserted through the hole 31. The otherend of the bypass tube 14 is connected to a branch socket 16. To be morespecific, the end of the bypass tube 14 is inserted from the hole 31through the exhaust tube 24 so that the opening of the tip is fixedtoward the filer 26 disposed at an exhaust port of the exhaust tube 24.Ejection of the fluid from the bypass tube 14 to the filer 26 causes afluid flow toward the filer 26 inside of the exhaust tube 24, and thisresults in reducing the pressure in the vicinity of the exhaust port 21relative to the vicinity of the opening section 20 of the case 19.

In the above explained first embodiment, the operator compresses theopening section 20 of the case 19 onto the surface of the object beingcleaned, e.g., a compartment seat, and then draws the trigger lever 12of the gun body 5. The fluid pumped from the compressor 2 is thensupplied to the inside of the ejection nozzle 13 and ejected from thetip thereof. Ejecting the fluid from the ejection nozzle 13 introducesthe ejection nozzle 13 within the cone-shaped guide 18 and swings theejection nozzle 13 so that the tip of the ejection nozzle 13 rotatingoutward relative to the ejection direction makes a circular path. Thisresults in allowing the fluid to be dispersed in a cone-shape andejected toward the surface of the object being cleaned, therebyamplifying the pressure wave of the fluid and ejecting the fluid havinga more significant spurting force.

Dirt or dust brushed from the surface of the object being cleaned, e.g.,a compartment seat with the fluid ejected in a cone-shape from the tipof the ejection nozzle 13 is confined in the case 19 since the openingsection 20 of the case 19 is compressed onto the surface of the objectbeing cleaned. Therefore, dust, etc., will not flutter in the exteriorthereof.

Since the cleaning apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment iscapable of carrying out cleaning works while facilitating the movementof the ejection nozzle 13, it is capable of cleaning the surfaces ofhardly movable and non-machine-washable objects being cleaned, e.g., aseat or a sofa of a compartment like an automobile.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the fluid pumped from thecompressor 2 to the ejection nozzle 13 is utilized efficiently. Somerely introducing the fluid to the exhaust tube 24 through the bypasstube 14 can cause a fluid flow to the filer 26 in the exhaust tube 24,thereby immediately introducing dust, etc., confined in the case 19 tothe exhaust tube 24 from the exhaust port 21 without leaking them fromthe exterior of the case 19. This results in allowing only the fluid tobe exhausted to the exterior of the ejection gun 4 and collecting onlythe dust, etc. by the filer 26.

Dirt or dust accumulating in the filer 26 will not impair the appearanceof the ejection gun 4 since the filer 26 is covered with the fabriccover 28 significantly larger than the filer 26. Furthermore, thereadily exchangeable filer 26 reduces the workload for the operator andprevents the suction force from dropping due to the clogging of thefiler 26.

The guide body 17 provided to the ejection nozzle 13 can prevent theejection nozzle 13 from wearing and lower the exchange frequency of theejection nozzle 13, thereby reducing maintenance costs.

Furthermore, unifying the ejection nozzle 13 for ejecting the fluid withthe exhaust tube 24 for suctioning dust, etc., via the case 19 canreliably prevent the dust, etc., from fluttering while the operatorconducts cleaning work with one hand. This results in further reducingthe workload for the operator and enhances the marketability of theproduct.

A second embodiment will be explained next based on FIG. 3. It should benoted that, in the second embodiment, the exhaust tube 24 that wasexplained in accordance with the above first embodiment is disposedcoaxially with the case 19. Structural elements that are equivalent tothose of the first embodiment will be assigned the same numeric symbolsand redundant explanations thereof will be omitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the ejection gun 4 is provided with the gunbody 5 that is capable of being switched, i.e., selectively opening andclosing an inner path by means of the trigger lever 12. A supportsection 32 for supporting the exhaust tube 24 is formed above the gunbody 5. The thickness of the end of the support section 32 tapers downbackward relative to the ejection direction. The fixed portion of thesupport section 32 is substantially in parallel with the exhaust tube24.

A branch socket 69 is connected to the exit port 10 of the gun body 5via a tubing 34 extending vertically upward. An airflow path 69 b in thebranch socket 69 divides in two directions. One of the divided paths isformed forward relative to the gun body 5, and the other one is formedbackward relative to the gun body 5. An ejection nozzle 60 having adual-wall structure, which will be explained later, is connected to theof the divided paths. An ejection port 35 disposed toward the exit ofthe exhaust tube 24 is formed to the latter of the divided paths.

Similarly to the first embodiment, the cylindrical guide 18 is disposedaround the ejection nozzle 60. The case 19 is disposed outside the guide18. The cylindrical exhaust tube 24 is inserted from the backsidethrough the case 19 and fixed there. Fixing the exhaust tube 24 to thesupport section 32 by means of the attachment band 33 supports theexhaust tube 24 on the gun body 5.

The ejection nozzle 60 is provided with a tubular outer nozzle 61 and atubular inner nozzle 62 inserted through the outer nozzle 61. The outernozzle 61 is entirely made from plastic material like synthetic resin,e.g., nylon, Teflon (Trade Mark Registered), polyurethane, orpolypropylene. In addition, at least the portion of the inner nozzle 62disposed inside the outer nozzle 61 is also made from plastic materiallike synthetic resin.

One of the ends of the inner nozzle 62 slightly protrudes from the tipof the outer nozzle 61. The other end of the inner nozzle 62 isconnected to a liquid reservoir 70 disposed separately. The liquidreservoir 70 stores the non-compressed state of liquid. In the presentcase, the liquid reservoir 70 stores cleaning liquid.

The base portion of the outer nozzle 61 is attached to an attachmentsection 69 a of the branch socket 69. The inner nozzle 62 is insertedthrough the outer nozzle 61. An airflow path 69 b that communicates witha space 63 between the outer nozzle 61 and the inner nozzle 62 is formedin the branch socket 69.

A plurality of synthetic-resin-made and weighted sections 64 are fixedon outer peripheries of the outer nozzle 61. A rotative guide body 65 isdisposed between the weighted sections 64.

The weighted sections 64 add weight to the tip of the ejection nozzle 60so as to cause efficient rotating movement of the ejection nozzle 60along the guide 18. The guide bodies 65, principally making contact withthe guide 18 prevent the dual nozzle structure from wearing out whilethe ejection nozzle 60 swings along the guide 18. The guide 18 isscrewed onto the attachment section 69 a of the branch socket 69.

The trigger lever 12 of the gun body 5 drawn by the operator causes theair pumped from the compressor 2 to be ejected from the tip of theejection nozzle 60 through the airflow path 69 b of the branch socket 69followed by the space 63 formed between the outer nozzle 61 and theinner nozzle 62. The ejection nozzle 60 guided by the guide 18 swings sothat the tip of the ejection nozzle 60 makes a circular path. On theother hand, ejecting the air outward from the tip of the ejection nozzle60 through the space 63 reduces the pressure in the vicinity of theopening section on an end of the inner nozzle 62, thus sucking thecleaning liquid from the liquid reservoir 70 through the inner nozzle 62to produce a mixture of the air and the cleaning liquid. This causesmist mixture of the air and the cleaning liquid to be ejected in acone-shape from the tip of the ejection nozzle 60. In addition, swingingejection nozzle 60 intensifies the momentum of the mixture of the airand the cleaning liquid; thus ejecting the mixture in impulse wave form.

The coaxial dispositions of the case 19 and the exhaust tube 24 inaccordance with the above-explained second embodiment provide smootherliquid flow between the case 19 and the exhaust tube 24 than in thefirst embodiment. This results in causing the fluid having ejected fromthe ejection nozzle 60 and collided with the object being cleaned to beintroduced to the exhaust tube 24 smoothly.

The above-explained ejection gun 4 ejects the air supplied by thecompressor 2 from the tip of the ejection nozzle 60 through the space 63between the outer nozzle 61 and the inner nozzle 62. The ejected aircauses the ejection nozzle 60 to swing along the guide 18 and causes theliquid to be suctioned from the liquid reservoir 70 via the inner nozzle62, thereby mixing and ejecting the sucked liquid with the air.Therefore, the present embodiment eliminates the need for aliquid-supply source for compressing and supplying the liquid.

Meanwhile, a fluid ejection nozzle 40 illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6 mayreplace of the ejection nozzle 13 or the ejection nozzle 60 inaccordance with the above-explained embodiments. As illustrated in FIGS.4 to 6, the fluid ejection nozzle 40 is provided with a cylindricalnozzle main body 42 and a weighted section 43 disposed to an end of thenozzle main body 42. The nozzle main body 42 is made from plasticmaterial, e.g., nylon, Teflon (Trade Mark Registered), polyurethane, orpolypropylene. The nozzle main body 42 is formed to have a substantiallyconstant thickness. The nozzle main body 42 has a through-hole 41passing therethrough in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle mainbody 42. A compressed section 44 is formed over a predetermined middlerange of the nozzle main body 42 except for both ends of the nozzle mainbody 42. The width of the compressed section 44 in a directionorthogonal with the longitudinal direction is shorter than another widthof the compressed section 44 in the direction orthogonal to both theformer orthogonal direction and the longitudinal direction. Cylindricalsections 45 and 46 are provided to predetermined ranges of both ends ofthe nozzle main body 42. Meanwhile, in the present invention, it shouldbe noted that the compressed shape of the compressed section 44 shouldnot be deformed if the nozzle main body 42 extends straightforward inthe longitudinal direction.

The weighted section 43 includes a screw member 48 screwed into thecylindrical section 45; and a cylindrical cap member 50 having thecylindrical section 45 screwed there inside. A substantially cylindricalthrough-hole 47 formed in the center of the weighted section 43 passestherethrough in the axial line direction. A male-thread section 49 isfurther formed on an outer periphery of the cylindrical section over theentire length.

The screw member 48 is made from metal material. The cap member 50 ismade from elastic material, e.g., silicone. Since the screw member 48 isscrewed into the female-thread section 51 that has been previouslyformed on an inner surface of the cylindrical section 45, the removalfrom the nozzle main body 42 of the weighted section 43 can beprevented. Alternatively, the female-thread section 51 may not be formedon an inner surface of the cylindrical section 45, that is, the weightedsection 43 may be fixed to the nozzle main body 42 with a force causedby the deformation of a cylindrical section of the screw member 48screwed into the cylindrical section 45.

Since the inner diameter of an opening of the cap member 50 is smallerthan the outer diameter of the cylindrical section 45 onto which thescrew member 48 is screwed, the force caused by the deformation of thecap member 50 into which the cylindrical section 45 is fitted preventsthe removal of the cap member 50 from the cylindrical section 45. Sincethe cylindrical section 45 is fitted onto the screw member 48 so that apart of the cylindrical section 45 does not fit to an end of the capmember 50, the cylindrical section 45 making use of its extendabilitycovers the tip of the screw member 48 to the extent that the cylindricalsection 45 does not reach to the through-hole 47 of the screw member 48.

The above-explained fluid ejection nozzle 40 ejects the fluid suppliedby the compressor 2 from the tip of the fluid ejection nozzle 40 throughthe inner surface of the fluid ejection nozzle 40, thereby causing aturbulence of the fluid in the fluid ejection nozzle 40 because thecross sectional shapes of the cylindrical sections 45 and 46 and thecompressed section 44 vary and because the liquid itself vibrates.Therefore, the influence of the turbulence or the ejecting force of thefluid provides the compressed section 44, made from flexible material,of the fluid ejection nozzle 40 with a reciprocal movement while thecompressed section 44 bends in its compressed direction. This providesautomatic reciprocal movement to the tip of the fluid ejection nozzle40, thereby ejecting the fluid in wide range. In addition, since thehigh-speed reciprocal movement of the fluid ejection nozzle 40 amplifiespressure wave of the fluid, thereby generating a swath of strong impulsefrom the pressure wave of the fluid, thus more significant ejectingforce can be obtained.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to theabove-explained embodiments. That is, a vacuum apparatus, e.g., a vacuumcleaner, may be connected to a filter attachment section of the exhausttube to suck dust, etc.

Instead of the fluid that were explained as air and water used in theabove-explained embodiments, detergent or organic solvent may be used.

Although the present invention has been described with respect to itspreferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to theembodiments described above. The configuration of the present inventionallows for addition, omission, substitution and further modificationwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The present invention is not limited to the above descriptions but islimited only by the appended claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention provides a fluid ejection gun that includes: aflexible ejection tube for ejecting a fluid, the fluid being supplied tothe inside of the ejection tube, the fluid being ejected from the tip ofthe ejection tube; a guide disposed to surround the ejection tube andintroduce the ejection tube along the inner surface of the guide, theejection tube being moved by the fluid ejected from the tip of theejection tube; a casing disposed to surround the guide, the casinghaving an opening section forward in the ejection direction of the fluidejected from the tip of the ejection tube; and a suction unit providedto the casing for sucking the fluid ejected from the ejection tube. Thefluid ejection gun of the present invention can brush dirt or dust fromthe object being cleaned effectively.

1. A fluid ejection gun comprising: a flexible ejection tube forejecting a fluid, the fluid being supplied to the inside of the ejectiontube, the fluid being ejected from the tip of the ejection tube; a guidedisposed to surround the ejection tube and introduce the ejection tubealong the inner surface of the guide, the ejection tube being moved bythe fluid ejected from the tip of the ejection tube; a casing disposedto surround the guide, the casing having an opening section forward inthe ejection direction of the fluid ejected from the tip of the ejectiontube; and a suction unit provided to the casing for sucking the fluidejected from the ejection tube.
 2. A fluid ejection gun according toclaim 1, wherein the suction unit further comprises an exhaust tubecommunicating to the casing; and a dust-collecting unit communicating tothe exhaust tube for collecting dust in the fluid, and the suction unitsupplies a part of the fluid from the inside of the ejection tube to thedust-collecting unit in the exhaust tube.
 3. A cleaning apparatuscomprising: a flexible ejection tube for ejecting a fluid, the fluidbeing supplied to the inside of the ejection tube, the fluid beingejected from the tip of the ejection tube; a fluid-pumping unit forpumping the fluid to the inside of the ejection tube; a guide disposedto surround the ejection tube and introduce the ejection tube along theinner surface of the guide, the ejection tube being moved by the fluidejected from the tip of the ejection tube; a casing disposed to surroundthe guide, the casing having an opening section forward in the ejectiondirection of the fluid ejected from the tip of the ejection tube; and asuction unit provided to the casing for sucking the fluid ejected fromthe ejection tube.
 4. A fluid ejection gun according to claim 3, whereinthe suction unit further comprises an exhaust tube communicating to thecasing; and a dust-collecting unit communicating to the exhaust tube forcollecting dust in the fluid, wherein the suction unit supplies a partof the fluid from the inside of the ejection tube to the dust-collectingunit in the exhaust tube.
 5. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 3,wherein the suction unit further comprises an exhaust tube communicatingto the casing; and a dust-collecting unit communicating to the exhausttube for collecting dust in the fluid, and the suction unit ejects apart of the fluid passing through the inner periphery side of theejection tube to the dust-collecting unit in the ejection tube.